Coil wrapping apparatus



1964 E. c. RECHEL 3,117,048

COIL WRAPPING APPARATUS Filed March 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1IlllllllllI/IIIIII Jrzderzi'r 4522500171 fll ec/ze Jan. 7, 1964 E. c.RECHEL COIL. WRAPPING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1960Jan. 7, 1964 E. c. RECHEL' 3,117,048

COIL WRAPPING APPARATUS Filed March 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 7,1964 E. c. RECHEL 3,117,048

COIL WRAPPING APPARATUS Filed March 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 59jzuazior h M or yllwml United States Patent 3,117,04ii CUM WFAPPHNGAPPARATUS Edwin C. Rachel, 85 Lancaster Road, dhirley, Mass. Filed Mar.El, Jil -fit), Ser. No. 16,534 4 tllairns. (Q1. 156-443) This inventionrelates to coil wrapping apparatus and a method therefor and findsparticular utility in providing the outer insulation fortransformer-like elements such as are found in fluorescent lighting.

it is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus forwrapping such objects as fluorescent light ballast elements and the likewhich is characterized by a high degree of automatic operation and whichthereby overcomes inerliciencies previously tolerated in suchoperations. Another object is to provide an automatic method andapparatus for wrapping coils in which variations in the coil outerdimension are automatically compensated for so that a plurality of coilscan be simultaneously wrapped.

The invention will be described in conjunction with an illustratedembodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which MG. 1 is a perspectiveview of apparatus embodying teachings of this invention, the View beingtaken primarily from the leaving side of the apparatus;

PEG. 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the apparatus taken fromthe entering end of the apparatus;

PEG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of PEG. 2;

PEG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the central topportion of the apparatus and which particularly features the adhesiveapplying mechanism;

5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5--5 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragmentary view of the encircled portion of FIG.5;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary enlarged sectional views of a portion ofthe FIG. 3 show'mg and with the parts thereof in different operativeconditions.

la the illustration given, the numeral 10 designates generally a framesuch as may be constructed of square metal tubing and which is generallyrectangular in its configuration, comprising upright or vertical columnmembers 11, longitudinal lower stringer members 12, upper longitudinalstringer members 13, lower transverse stringer members 14, uppertransverse stringers members and longitudinal struts 16 (seeparticularly FIG. 3).

The frame lti) is provided with a back-stand 17 (see 1) provided on theentering end column members "it and which rotatably supports shaft 18.The shaft 18 in turn carries a parent roll of insulating paper 19. Itwill be appreciated that roll 19 may be narrower or wider, as desired,or a group of individual rolls.

In the illustration given, web W (see FIG. 3) from the parent roll ispassed over the top of the frame ill) in contact with rollers 2d 26until it is wrapped around a coil C rotatably carried on an arbor 27.The arbor 2'7 is driven by a gear motor 28 through a one revolutionclutch 29 (see FIG. 2). The clutch 29 may be a one throw clutch providedby the Hilliard Corporation, of Elmira, New York, and the motor may be aBoston Gear Motor provided by the Boston Gear Works, of Quincy,Massachusetts.

Through suitable gearing (not shown), the single throw clutch may becaused to rotate the arbor 27 any desired number of rotations, i.e., 1,2, 3, etc., depending upon the number of times the coil C is to bewrapped by the web W. For the purpose of supporting the motor 28 and theclutch 29, the frame it may be equipped with a laterally-extendingbracket 3% as seen in FIG. 2.

iii l'iifi id Patented Jan. 7, 1954 In the illustration given, the web Wwhich issues from parent roll 19 as the latter is being unwound, isprovided in the form of kraft paper and without any adhesiveincorporated therewith. The adhesive for uniting the web W to itself andto the coil C is provided by adhesive supply means generally designated31. Through the operation of the supply means 31, ribbons 32 of adhesiveare laid down on the web W (see FIG. 4) which may vary in width,viscosity, etc., according to the dictates of a particular procedure.

In FIG. 4, the adhesive ribbons 32 are seen to be aligned with openings33 in a plate 34 which is positioned below a box-like tank 35, the tank35 carrying adhesive 31'. Egress of adhesive 36 from the tank 35 isachieved through an elongated slot 37 which may be aligned with theopenings 33 in plate 34 in one position of the plate 34. The tank 35 isequipped with a suitable cover 33 which may be provided with a suitablehandle 39 (seen only in FlG. 2).

The web W is urged against the undersurface of the plate 34 by means ofthe rolls 24 and 25 (see FIG. 3). The rolls 24 and 25 are suitablyjournaled in a bearing (not shown) but which is provided in the bearingpedestal 4f Laterally outward of the bearing pedestal 40 is a pedestal41 (see FIG. 4) which carries the tank-supporting frame 52. In theexploded view seen in FIG. 4, the tank 35 is seen to be removablymounted within the frame 42 and the frame 42 also provides a slidablemounting for the plate 34. The plate 34 may be completely removed fromits mounting within the frame 42 by movement to the right in FIG. 3 oras indicated in FIG. 5, or may be moved slightly to the left into thespace 43a until it engages the stopping lugs 43 provided as part of thepedestal 4l-in which case the openings 33 in the plate 34 are no longerin register with the slot 37 in the bottom wall of the tank 35. It is tobe appreciated that with a high speed automatic operation, it may benecessary from time to time to change the adhesive formulation or toutilize webs already equipped with adhesives for certain purposes, thusby the structure just described it is possible to provide a versatilemeans for creating an adhesive surface on the web W.

()rdinarily, however, the plate 34 will be positioned with its openings33 in alignment with the slot 37 and this position is readilyascertained by positioning the dogs 44 in the position seen in FIG. 3wherein they act as abutments for the plate 34 limiting its movement tothe left. The dogs 44 may be conveniently pivotally attached to theframe 42 as shown in FIG. 4. For the purpose of permitting slidingmovement of the plate longitudinally of the web W, frame 4-2 is cut awayas at 42a in FIGS. 4 and 5, also in FIG. 3.

Prior to the time that the web W encounters the adhesive supply means31, it has already been in contact with rolls 2223. The roll 2?; isjournaled within a pair of pedestals 45, which like the pedestals 4d and41 are secured to the top plate 46 on the frame ill). As seen in FIG. 1,the pedestals may be suitably secured to the plate 46 by means of bolts46a.

The roll 26) is supported in pedestals 47 and at the roll end and, justinboard of the pedestals 47, the roll 20 is equipped with a pair of arms&8. The arms 48, at their unsupported ends, rotatably carry the roll 21which, in effect, acts as a dance roll. For this purpose, the arms 48are pivotally related to the roll 2% so that the dance roll 21 is freeto pivot in a circular path around the roll 20 and thus compensate forchanges in the tension of the 'web W. I have found that this isimportant during start-up or cessation of the advancement of web W sincethe parent roll 19 has considerable inertia.

Limiting the downwar movement of the dance roll 21 is a post 4% (seeFIG. 3) which is engaged by the arm 48. In the illustration given, twosuch posts 49 are provided, one for each arm 45, and each arm 48 isurged into contacting relation with the post 49 by means of a coilspring 56' which, at one end, is connected to the free end of arm 48 andat its other end is connected to the top plate 46.

After the web passes the dance roll 21, it may pass between the markingrolls 22 and 23. Rolls 22 and 23 may be suitably embossed or equippedwith cutting means, etc., to provide longitudinal slit-like perforationsS1 in web W (see FIG. 4). These, or other markings (such as printing)may be employed for a subsequent sawing or severing operation.

Providing a positive drag or tension on the web W is a brake 52 (seeFIG. 3) which may take the form of the weighted leather brake shown. Theapron 52 is secured as by bolting adjacent its upper end as at 53 to theentering end of upper transverse stringer 15. The lower end of the apron52 may be folded on itself as at 54, and in the pocket 55 formed therebycarry a metal rod 56 so that a positive pressure is applied against theperiphery of parent roll 19.

The web W, in leaving the adhesive-supply means 31, thereafter passesinto wrapping relation with the coil C which is ensleeved on an arbor ormandrel 27. In the illustration given, the arbor 27 has a square crosssection, but it will be appreciated that other cross-sectional forms maybe employed. The arbor 27 is rotatably supported within a pair of pillowblocks 57 and 58. Outboard of the pillow block 57, the arbor 27 isconnected to the clutch 29, while the pillow block or hearing 58 is ofthe openable type so as to facilitate insertion of the arbor 27. Forthis purpose, the bearing 58 is equipped with a latch handle 59 (seeFIG. 1) which is effective to lock and unlock the bearing halves.

The coil C conventionally has a length of about 28 inches with anoutside dimension of between 1 and 2 on a side-the coil C illustratedherein being generally square in cross section. On the coil C, it ispossible to provide ten or so separate longitudinally-spaced windingswhich subsequently can be separated one from the other by passing thecoil C through a bandsaw. This necessarily results in differentthickness dimensions in the coil C and often results in draw wrinkles asthe coil C is being wrapped. Heretofore, it has been necessary to firstsever the coil C into discrete coil segments-prior to the importantfinal wrapping operationnecessitating costly handwork and expensivegummed insulating paper. Now,

through the practice of this invention, it is possible to envelop theentire coil C in one operation. Thereafter, the coil C can beconveniently severed along the dotted lines provided by the slot-likeperforations 51 and a plurality of coils are immediately provided. Thecoils provided, although not shown as such, comprehend a plurality ofwindings so as to provide, for example, a. primary and secondary, ifsuch is desired, the windings being suitably insulated one from theother. In some instances it may be desirable to provide a plurality ofsecondary windings or the like on each coil portion that is ultimatelysevered from the coil C. Such is achieved conveniently through skip organg winding in a manner well known in the art, and this form of coil Cis also amenable to the wrapping operation described herein.Alternatively, the coil C may be a group of individual bobbin woundcoils assembled on the arbor 27 with individual parent rolls 19.

The pillow blocks or bearings 57 and 58 are suitably secured to hearingpedestals as which at the extreme leading end of the machine provide aplatform 61 on which is secured a resilient pad 62. The pad 62 providesa convenient abutment against which the web W may be placed in order tosever the same after a coil C has been enveloped.

Just inboard of the pedestals 6i are a pair of pedestals 63 which areequipped with slidably mounted posts 64 (see FIG. 3). The posts 64 attheir upper ends rotatably support the roll as. For this purpose, theupper ends of the posts 64 are equipped with bearing brackets 64a. Eachbracket 64a is L-shaped and has an upstanding portion 64b in which theroll 26 is journaled. Each bracket 64a has a horizontal portion 640 inwhich the associated post 64 is mountedthe portion 640 being confined between collars 65a and 65b (as seen only in FIGS. 6 and 7). The postsadjacent their lower ends are each equipped with collar 65 which may bethreaded or otherwise atfixed thereon. The extreme lower ends of theposts 64 are connected to a transversely extending treadle bar as.Depending from the leaving end top plate 67 (which is coplanar withentering top plate td-see FIG. 3) is a bracket 6% and depending from thecollar 65 is a coiled spring 7%). Thus, the coil spring 76 urges thebrackets 64a and, hence, the roll 26, upward against the stick C. Thealternative positions of the roll as can be seen by reference to FIGS. 6and 7, the bracket 64a in FIG. 6 being in its raised position while inFIG. 7 it is in its lowered position. For this purpose, the brackets 63a are equipped with guides 64d which ride in a slot 61a provided in theplat form 61. Secured to the treadle bar as are a pair of strut members'71 which, at their lower ends, are secured to a treadle plate 73. Theplate '73, in turn, is secured to a pair of arms 7 for foot operation ofthe machine. The arms '74 are pivoted on the longitudinal stringermembers 12 as at 75. If desired, the strut members 71 may be equippedwith turn buckles 72 for adjusting the length thereof. Thus, bydepressing the treadle plate 73, the spring is compressed and the roll26 is taken out of bearing engagement with the coil C.

In the operation of the device just described, the web W may beconstructed of kraft paper or suitably reinforced with a Mylar (Du Ponttrademark for polyethylene terephthalate) impregnant or laminate. Theweb W as it passes under the plate 34 picks up adhesive issuing throughthe openings 33 therein. The openings 33, as can be seen from FIG. 5,are countersunk as at 33a and at the lower ends thereof are equippedwith tapered channels or chamfers 33b, the channels extending in thedirection of web travel on the side of the openings 33 last contacted bya given portion of the web. Thus, they are effective to provide discretesmooth ribbons of adhesive.

To operate the apparatus, an arbor containing a coil C is inserted intothe pillow blocks 57 and 58. At this time, the motor is not connectedwith the arbor 27 inasmuch as the clutch 29 is deactivated. From apreceding operation, the web extends over the roll 26 and onto pad 62and this leading edge can be applied to the coil C. Through a suitableswitch (not shown), the clutch 29 may be activated to turn the coil Cthe required number of times for the desired wrapping.

Immediately upon rotation of the arbor 27, the operator depreses thetreadle plate 73 so as to relax any pressure on the coil C. Through thisoperation, it is possible to wrap coils which are uneven in their outerdimensions. Here, it is to be appreciated, that the phi-- rality of coilwindings provided on any coil C may vary considerably so that there is apossibility that the Web may be wrinkled during the wrapping. Anywrinkling of the wrapping of web W on the coil C is not only undesirablebut may lead to the rejection of the element thus wrapped. Thiscriticality, in the past, has led to the individual wrapping of coilforms with the attendant expense and low production accompanying amanual operation. I have found that by regulating the pressure appliedby the roll 26 to the coil C to a value less than that provided in theform of a drag or tensioning of the web in the direction contrary to webtravel, produces the desirable result of avoiding draw wrinkles in thesheet or web W. In other words, the maximum pressure exerted by the roll26 on the coil C is less than the restraining pressure exerted bytension developed by the restraining brake 52.

While in the foregoing specification, I have set forth a detaileddescription of an embodiment of the invention for the purpose ofillustration thereof, many variations in the details herein given may bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In coil wrapping apparatus, a generally rectangular frame, a paperweb roll mounted on one end of said frame and arranged to discharge acontinuous web for movement over said frame, brake means on said framerestricting the free unrolling of said web roll and effective to apply atensioning pressure to said web, means intermediate the ends of saidframe for applying an adhesive to the upper web surface, saidadhesive-applying means being equipped with an elongated bottom plateextending transversely of said web and having a plurality oflongitudinally aligned openings intermediate the sides of said plate forlaying down a plurality of ribbons of adhesive atop said web inparallel, spacedapart relation, each opening being forwardly enlarged atits lower end, a coilsupporting arbor having a length adapted to supporta coil of about 28 inches in length mounted on said frame opposite theend equipped with said web roll, said arbor and frame being equippedwith means for rotating said arbor to wrap said web thereabout, a rollmovably mounted on said frame in aligned relation with said arbor,spring means on said frame urging said movable roll into contact withsaid arbor to apply a compressive pressure to the web being wrapped onsaid arbor, said compressive pressure always being less than saidtensioning pressure, and means for pedally opposing said spring means toreduce said compressive pressure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said arbor has a generally squareshape in cross section.

3. In coil Wrapping apparatus, a generally rectangular frame, a web rollmounted on one end of said frame and arranged to discharge a continuousweb for movement over said frame, brake means on said frame restrictingthe free unrolling of said web roll, means for applying an adhesive tothe upper web surface intermediate the ends of said frame, saidweb-applying means being effective to lay down a plurality of ribbons ofadhesive in parallel, spaced-apart relation and including a plateequipped with openings for distributing adhesive, each of the plateopenings having a chamfered portion extending in the direction of webmovement at the opening bottom, tank means above said plate fordelivering adhesive to said openings, a coil-supporting arbor on saidframe, means for rotating said arbor to wrap said web thereabout, apressure roll on said frame mounted in aligned relation with said arbor,spring means on said frame urging said pressure roll into contact with acoil of said arbor, and treadle means on said frame coupled to saidpressure roll for overcoming the urging of said spring means and therebyrelieving the pressure exerted by said pressure roll on said arbor, themaximum pressure exerted by said pressure roll being less than therestraining pressure exerted on said Web to tension the same.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said frame is equipped with meansfor supporting said plate and tank means, said tank means being equippedwith a bottom slot alignable with said openings, said supporting meansbeing cut away to permit movement of said plate parallel to thedirection of travel of said web, whereby said slot and openings may bepositioned out of alignment to stop the flow of adhesive through saidopenings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS375,305 Videto Dec. 20, 1887 428,188 Videto May 20, 1890 1,015,370Wilson Ian. 23, 1912 1,113,718 Thordarson Oct. 13, 1914 1,160,469Underhill Nov. 16, 1915 1,383,186 Brink June 28, 1921 2,027,866 Isbellet al. Jan. 14, 1936 2,123,238 Franz July 12, 1938 2,276,980 Jacobi Mar.17, 1942 2,462,191 Hodnette Feb. 22, 1949 2,501,349 Nagel et al Mar. 21,1950 2,542,806 Ford et a1 Feb. 20, 1951 2,969,585 Smith Jan. 31, 1961FOREIGN PATENTS 194,690 Great Britain Jan. 31, 1924 102,123 SwitzerlandNov. 16, 1923

1. IN COIL WRAPPING APPARATUS, A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME, A PAPER WEB ROLL MOUNTED ON ONE END OF SAID FRAME AND ARRANGED TO DISCHARGE A CONTINUOUS WEB FOR MOVEMENT OVER SAID FRAME, BRAKE MEANS ON SAID FRAME RESTRICTING THE FREE UNROLLING OF SAID WEB ROLL AND EFFECTIVE TO APPLY A TENSIONING PRESSURE TO SAID WEB, MEANS INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID FRAME FOR APPLYING AN ADHESIVE TO THE UPPER WEB SURFACE, SAID ADHESIVE-APPLYING MEANS BEING EQUIPPED WITH AN ELONGATED BOTTOM PLATE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID WEB AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED OPENINGS INTERMEDIATE THE SIDES OF SAID PLATE FOR LAYING DOWN A PLURALITY OF RIBBONS OF ADHESIVE ATOP SAID WEB IN PARALLEL, SPACEDAPART RELATION, EACH OPENING BEING FORWARDLY ENLARGED AT ITS LOWER END, A COIL-SUPPORTING ARBOR HAVING A LENGTH ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A COIL OF ABOUT 28 INCHES IN LENGTH MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME OPPOSITE THE END EQUIPPED WITH SAID WEB ROLL, SAID ARBOR AND FRAME BEING EQUIPPED WITH MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID ARBOR TO WRAP SAID WEB THEREABOUT, A ROLL MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME IN ALIGNED RELATION WITH SAID ARBOR, SPRING MEANS ON SAID FRAME 